Bruce Springsteen Releases Statement on Clarence Clemons' Death

June 19, 2011 (9:57 am) GMT

The Boss said that his longtime saxophonist always gave the best in his every performance despite battling a number of diseases.

The music world is mourning the death of Clarence Clemons, the longtime saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. The 69-year-old suffered a stroke last week and succumbed to complications from a stroke on Saturday, June 18.

"Clarence lived a wonderful life," Springsteen said. "He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage."

Also known as The Big Man, Clemons performed with Lady GaGa only last month on the season finale of "American Idol". His health had a slight improvement during his hospitalization but then it declined this week.

Beside a stroke, Clemons also had a series of medical problem in the past ten years, including having both his knees replaced and a back surgery. He described his last tour as "pure hell" due to the pain.